We all do 'do, re, mi', but you have to find the other notes yourself. Louis Armstrong

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29 May

Robin Mckelle

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Robin McKelle has consistently proved to her ever-expanding fan base that she’s 100% steeped in soul. Not to mention jazz, blues and the other ingredients that make her work on record and on stage so thrillingly authentic. Now, ten years after she first emerged, the songwriter and vocal stylist from Rochester, New York, is set to make 2016 her year, with her most exciting album to date.

McKelle’s sophisticated new release The Looking Glass is a stunning mélange of all the styles she’s already espoused, and a refreshingly accessible yet urbane soul-pop sound that’s about to steal the hearts of newcomers and old friends.

The album not only features Robin’s best songwriting to date, but an A-list of musicians with resumés to die for, and the production of Steve Greenwell, whose credits include work with Diane Birch, Joss Stone and on Compromised, the acclaimed current release by long-established singer-songwriter Steve Forbert.

The Looking Glass is Robin’s first album composed entirely of original songs. The infectious opening single ‘Stand Up’ has nods back to the 1970s soul flavours that have served the likes of Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson and others so well, but with a personality all its own. From the breezy opener ‘Gravity’ to the passionate ‘I’m The One,’ the poignant ‘Forgive Me’ and ‘Down Without A Fight’ and the wistful ‘Get Back Yesterday,’ it’s an irresistible collection.

Since taking her bow with Introducing Robin McKelle in 2006, the artist has inspired favourable comparisons with great American originals from Ella Fitzgerald to Nina Simone to Gladys Knight. In a catalogue that has channeled 1940s jazz, 1960s Motown and Stax and far more besides, she progressed to Modern Antique, flexing her songwriting muscles on disc for the first time, then to Mess Around and Soul Flower, which featured duets with Gregory Porter and Lee Fields; each album more sure-footed and distinctive than its predecessor.

Robin Mckelle on May 29,2016 at Gazarte Voutadon 32-34- Gazi – 210 3460347 –

Last modified on Monday, 30 May 2016 11:49
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